OXFORD – An estimated 300 area residents turned out at the Oxford Rod and Gun Club last night for an educational forum on the NY SAFE Act presented by Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch. Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., Chenango County Clerk Mary C. Weidman, and Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) President Steve Aldstadt were also on hand to speak and answers questions.

“I’m as frustrated as you are,” said Crouch in his opening remarks. “Many in this room are law abiding citizens that essentially became criminals overnight.”

Crouch went on to describe the turnout at the last rally opposing the SAFE Act in Albany, and how the numbers portrayed by the media were not accurate, and did not take into account busloads of people that came to protest the legislation from across the state. He hopes, he added, that the turnout for the June 11 rally in Albany will make an even greater impact.

Sheriff Cutting noted in his remarks that the SAFE Act is one of the most important issues facing communities and municipalities today. He explained that he swore an oath the uphold the Constitution, yet also an oath to uphold the laws of New York State, and the SAFE Act creates a problem. Cutting went on to point out that New York is the fourth safest state in the country, as well as the safest “large” state. The SAFE Act, he added, will not stop evil people.